VDMA Fuel Cells business outlook 2017 good

In 2016, the fuel cell industry in Germany achieved a turnover of around EUR 100 million from fuel cell heating devices and power supply systems. Following a lateral movement the previous year, the economic outlook of the VDMA Fuel Cells working group forecasts a growth of 90 percent for the current year based on an industrial survey. Manufacturers can be very optimistic about 2017.

The VDMA Power Systems association is the information and communication platform for manufacturers of wind energy plants and core components. It provides a forum allowing for joint positioning on current topics related to the sector with manufacturers of engine systems, turbines, thermal power plants and hydroelectric power plants.

The 7th edition of the VDMA “Wind Industry Guide 2017 – Components, Systems and Manufacturing Technology”, published by the WG Wind Industry, provides an excellent overview of the diversity of the sector, while also reflecting the many facets of the industrial value chain.

The average costs of electricity from wind turbines is now by 12 percent cheaper than four years ago. Main reasons are a cost-effective and optimized turbine technology as well as the currently low financing costs. The interest rates and a new rule in the Renewable Energy Act 2014 (EEG, cp. § 24) for suspending the remuneration for negative electricity prices involve a cost risk.